Grounding system for a heated hose

ABSTRACT

A grounded electrical circuit in a heated hose is provided. In one embodiment, the heated hose assembly includes: a flexible hose body; a first and a second heating wires and a hose ground wire each extending longitudinally and parallel to an axis of the hose body and within an inner wall; a first fluid coupling provided on the first end portion of the flexible hose body, the first fluid coupling comprising a stem inserted into the flexible hose body and radially clamping an end of the hose ground wire against an inner surface of the inner wall, such that a contact between the first fluid coupling and the end of the hose ground wire grounds the hose ground wire; a power cord electrically connected to the first and second heating wires and to the hose ground wire; and a thermostat electrically connected to the first and second heating wires.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/387,750 filed on May 6, 2009, entitled“Grounding System For A Heated Hose,” which is incorporated herein inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates in general to water or “garden” hoses andin particular to an electrically heated flexible elastomeric or rubberhose which carries an electrical cord for powering heating elementsembedded in the hose wall.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR DEVELOPMENTS

A water delivery problem can arise in colder climates where thetemperature falls below the freezing temperature of water. For example,farmers need to supply water to livestock in the field, buildingcontractors need to supply water to outdoor worksites and homeownersneed water to wash cars and other equipment during winter months, aswell as year round in some very cold climates.

Presently, livestock is watered by transporting water from an indoorfaucet to remote livestock water troughs in the field. This is done withhand carried buckets or by motor vehicle. This is laborious and timeconsuming.

Prior attempts to provide water in cold weather include wrappingstationary water pipes with heat tape and insulation and providinglocalized 110 volt electric heaters or gas heaters on water conduits,containers and troughs. In some cases, water pipes are buried deepunderground below the frost line and connected to frost free hydrants.These prior approaches and apparatus are relatively expensive,complicated to set up and use, bulky and generally difficult if notimpossible to reposition and move around.

What is needed is a convenient, inexpensive and easily portable systemto prevent water from freezing within hoses in virtually any coldenvironment. A further need exists for an economical hose of simpleconstruction which is heated by widely available electrical power suchas 110 volt AC power available from standard electrical wall outlets.Yet a further need exists for a convenient source of electrical poweravailable at the end of a hose to allow a user to power electricalequipment, hardware and tools including saws, drills and the like andelectrical appliances such as livestock grooming equipment as well aselectrical water tank heaters for preventing water within a water tankfrom freezing.

A safe, reliable, easy-to-assemble, and low cost electrical groundingsystem is further needed to meet safety standards and provide a robustgrounding circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed to meet the needs noted aboveby providing a flexible garden hose having an integral resistance heaterand a standard electrical extension cord. This construction has theadvantages of allowing water to flow at temperatures below its freezingpoint, and facilitating the electrical connection of 110 volt AC powerto electrical equipment located adjacent the end of the heated hose.

A durable flexible rubber or plastic elastomeric hose, similar toautomotive radiator hose, is provided with a flexible resistance heaterwire, electrical power conductors and a heat insulating cover or jacket.In one embodiment, the heater wire and electrical power conducting leadwires are molded or otherwise embedded within the walls of the hose.

The electrical heater wire or wires are advantageously molded, extrudedor otherwise embedded within an inner layer of the hose adjacent thehollow core of the hose. An electrical power cord may be molded,extruded or otherwise embedded within an outer heat insulating layer ofthe hose.

Another embodiment of the invention eliminates the heater wire, butincludes the electrical power leads such that the hose acts as both awater hose and an electrical extension cord. Alternatively, theelectrical power leads can be eliminated and only the resistance heaterwire or wires are provided along substantially the full length of thehose.

Various ratings of heating wire maybe provided for adapting the amountof heat produced along a given length of hose so as to provide justenough heat to keep water flowing at various ambient temperatures belowfreezing. Alternatively, the heater wire can be selected to raise thetemperature of the water to a warm or hot temperature, as required forbathing animals on cold days.

The subject invention is particularly useful to livestock owners, petowners, pet groomers and homeowners as well as outdoor contractors suchas concrete contractors and pressure washer contractors and operators. Aparticularly beneficial use of the invention is to provide water to aremote livestock water tank with an above-ground, heated, frost-free,flexible garden hose and to provide electrical power to a water tankheater to prevent the water in the livestock water tank from freezing.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a simple to assemblegrounding system that employs standard hose couplings as integralcomponents of the grounding circuit. A circumferentially-notched ring orferrule is mounted on each end portion of the hose. The notches in theferrule allow the loose ends of the heating wires and grounding wire toengage and seat upon the relatively soft rubber or elastomeric hosematerial at the ends of the hose. This arrangement reduces thepossibility of undesirable contact and abrasion between the relativelyrigid ferrules and the insulation surrounding the heating wires.

After the ferrules are mounted to the opposite ends of the hose, athermostat is electrically connected to two stripped ends of two of theheating wires at one end of the hose. The “hot” and “neutral” wires of astandard power cord are electrically connected to the same two heatingwires at the other end of the hose. The end portions of these twopowered heating wires are then folded back over the exterior of therings or ferrules. A third heating wire or other electrically conductivewire extending along the length of the hose has stripped or bare ends.One stripped end is folded into the hose channel against the inner wallof the hose at one end while the other stripped end is connected to theground wire on the power cord at the other end of the hose.

Heat shrinkable sleeves, tape or other electrically insulating andwaterproof material is applied over the folded ends of the other twopowered wires so as to tightly cover or wrap the wires and thethermostat against one end of the hose and to tightly wrap or cover thewires and their connection with the hot and neutral leads of the powercord at the other end of the hose.

The rings or ferrules are provided with circumferentially-spaced axiallyextending cut-out portions or notches. The folded-back ends of theheating wires are aligned over and within the notches so that the bendsor folds in the wires engage the relatively soft elastomeric or rubberhose material along each opposite end face of the hose. The third wireserving as the ground wire has its other end (opposite the end foldedinto the interior of the hose) folded radially outwardly over a notch ina ferrule and then connected to the ground wire of a power cord oralternatively connected to the ground wire of a power cord and thenfolded into the flow channel with the power cord ground wire seated inthe notch. Again, the notch provides for a soft seat for the wire at itsfold over the end face of the hose. This protects the wire from rubbing,abrasion and cutting against the edge of the ring or ferrule and helpsto hold the wire in place.

After the ends of all the external wires overlying the ferrules arecovered with an electrically-insulating waterproof sleeve, male andfemale hose couplings such as the type found on common garden hoses, areprovided at opposite ends of the hose. Each coupling has a tubular axialstem that is freely insertable into each respective end of the hose.Once the tubes or stems are inserted into the open ends of the hose, anexpansion tool, such as an axially-tapered mandrel is inserted axiallyinto each coupling so as to radially-outwardly expand each tube or stem.

This radial expansion of the tubes or stems radially compresses andclamps the ends of the ground wire between the stems and ferrules andforms an electrical ground connection extending from one coupling to theother along the full length of the hose. The radial compression of theends of the resilient hose caused by the expanded stems acts in themanner of a lock washer to maintain a tight radial clamping force. Thisassembly is very easy to complete, uses a minimum of components, meetsafety standards and is capable of withstanding the rigors of strenuousoutdoor applications such as found on construction sites and farms.

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood from the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters designate like or corresponding parts through the severalviews.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the invention adapted topower and illuminate an outdoor light and fill an outdoor water troughwith water;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a section of hose adapted with anintegral electrical extension cord;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an alternate embodiment of theinvention showing the electrical connections between the electricalpower leads, and depicting the hose in phantom for the purpose ofclarity;

FIG. 4 is a partial view in central section through the female end of ahose constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the inventionwhich includes a pair of heating elements;

FIG. 5 is a partial view in central section through the male end of thehose of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an axially-exploded view of another embodiment showing anelectrical power and grounding system;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the hose of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view of FIG. 8 wherein the ends of the hose have beenremoved or “stripped” to expose three embedded wires;

FIG. 10 is a view of FIG. 9 with rings or ferrules positioned over theends of the hose;

FIG. 11 is a view of FIG. 10 showing the insertion of the ends of aground wire into the hose, the connection of a thermostat and power cordto the opposite ends of two heating wires and connection of the threewires to the power cord;

FIG. 12 is a view of FIG. 11 with heat-shrink sleeves positioned overeach end of the hose;

FIG. 13 is a view of FIG. 12 with the heat-shrink sleeves shrunk tightlyover the heating wires, thermostat and power cord connections;

FIG. 14 is a view of FIG. 13 showing the insertion of hose couplingsinto opposite ends of the hose; and

FIG. 15 is a view of FIG. 14 after the hose couplings have been securedto the ends of the hose and showing a completed hose assembly.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a hose assembly according to embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a thermostat according to embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a thermostat according to embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a hose according to embodiments ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in conjunction with thedrawings, beginning with FIG. 1 which shows a pair of interconnectedhose segments 10. These segments are constructed and interconnected inaccordance with the present invention so as to form a segmented hosesystem 12. Each hose segment 10 is fitted on one end with aconventional, annular, internally-threaded female brass hose socket orcoupling 14, and on each opposite end with a conventional, annular,externally-threaded male brass hose plug or coupling 16.

One of the female hose sockets 14 on a first hose segment 10 is shownthreaded to a standard outdoor spigot 18 mounted to an exterior wall 20of a building. The male hose plug 16 on the other end of the first hosesegment 10 is shown screwed into the female hose socket 14 of the otheror second hose segment 10 to form a watertight interconnection 22. Themale hose plug 16 on the opposite end of the second hose segment isshown screwed into a fitting 24 on a water tank or water trough 26.

The hose system 12 allows water 28 to flow along the entire length ofthe interconnected hose segments 10, 10 and into tank 26. For example,water from a public water line, well, tank or other source is fedthrough water line 30, through open spigot 18, through the first andsecond hose segments 10, 10, across interconnection 22 and into tank 26.Of course, the system 12 may be connected to an end application otherthan a tank. For example, the system 12 may be connected to a valve orspray nozzle commonly used with garden hoses, or to a power washer orother water-using apparatus.

As further seen in FIG. 1, each hose segment 10 is provided with anelectrically insulated power cord 32, which, as seen in FIG. 2, extendsalong substantially the entire length of each hose segment 10. Powercord 32 is shown as a conventional extension power cord having a “hot”current carrying lead wire 34, a “neutral” lead wire 36 and an optionalground wire 38, as discussed further below.

Preferably, the wires 34, 36 and 38 are insert molded, extruded orotherwise embedded within the flexible wall 40 (FIG. 2) of each hosesegment 10. It is convenient to extend at least one end of each powercord 32 at least several feet, for example, up to three feet or morebeyond the end of each hose segment 10. In FIG. 1, power cord 32 extendsover three feet from its exit point from hose wall 40 adjacent eachfemale socket 14 and terminates in a standard two or three prong outdoorelectrical plug 42.

A standard two or three socket outdoor electrical socket 44 is connectedto the opposite end of each power cord 32. Socket 44 can be closelyfitted and fixed to the exterior of hose 10 adjacent each male hosecoupling 16, as shown in FIG. 1 adjacent interconnection 22.Alternatively, socket 44 can be located several feet or more beyond eachmale hose coupling 16 as further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In use, all watertight connections are made with hose sockets 14 andhose plugs 16 such as shown in FIG. 1. Electrical connections betweenmale and female electrical plug and socket connectors 42, 44 are thenmade to form an electrical interconnection 46 adjacent hoseinterconnection 22.

An arch or loop is formed around hose interconnection 22 by an endportion of power cord 32 on the second hose segment 10 connected to tank26. In this manner, the end of the power cord 32 loops around and isseparated and spaced apart from the hose interconnection 22. Aconventional male electrical plug 48 on an external or remote electricalappliance such as outdoor light 50 is connected to the female electricalconnector 44 adjacent tank 26. The male electrical plug 42 adjacentspigot 18 is then plugged into a conventional electrical wall outlet 52mounted on building wall 20 so as to receive electrical power fromelectrical power lines 54. Appliance 50 can then be switched on and offremotely from wall outlet 52 so as to illuminate tank 26. Of course,virtually any other electrical apparatus can be operated in place oflight 50 such as an electric heater for heating the water 28 in the tank26 and preventing the water from freezing.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 wherein hosesegment 10 is further provided with an electrical resistance heatingelement 56 such as a nichrome wire. The general exterior configurationof system 12 of FIG. 1 is substantially the same using the hose segment10 of FIG. 3 as it is with the hose segment 10 of FIG. 2. However, thewater or other liquid or fluid flowing through flow channel 60 of thehose segment 10 of FIG. 3 is heated and prevented from freezing by theheat provided by heating element 56.

In this embodiment, the heating element 56 is preferably molded withinthe flexible inner elastomeric wall 40 of hose segment 10 adjacent flowchannel 60, and can take the form of a narrow wire loop. Heating element56 may include a substantially unheated low resistance portion 62 whichmay extend along the full length of the hose segment 10 and a highresistance heated wire portion 64 which extends parallel to the lowresistance portion along the full length of the hose. Alternatively, theentire length of the looped heating element may be formed as a highresistance heating element.

The free ends of the heating element portions 62 and 64 are respectivelyelectrically connected to the hot and neutral leads 34, 36 of power cord32. A thermostat 66 is wired in series with the high resistance heaterportion 64, while entire length of the loop formed by heating element 56is wired in parallel with the leads 34, 36 of the power cord 32. Ifthermostat 66 opens due to excessive temperature in wall 40, power isprevented from flowing through heating element 56, but power will stillbe available at socket 44.

As further seen in FIG. 3, the lead wires 34, 36, 38 of power cord 32are molded within a cylindrical foam-type insulation layer 70 whichencircles and thermally insulates the inner hose wall 40 as well asheating element 56 and any fluid flowing through the flow channel 60 ofhose segment 10. Layer 70 may be molded or otherwise applied over wall40 in the form of a polyethylene foam.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 whereina hose segment 10 is provided with a pair of heating elements 56 eachhaving a low resistance lead portion 62 and a high resistance leadportion 64 insert molded within hose wall 40. As shown, lead portions 62and 64 are disposed parallel to one another and parallel to thelongitudinal axis 72 of flow path 60. However, lead wire portions 62 and64 can be arranged in a spiral pattern around axis 72 as an alternateconstruction.

Each heating element loop 56 is advantageously connected in a separateparallel electrical circuit with lead wires 34 and 36 in the manner asshown with the single heating element loop 56 shown in FIG. 3. In thiscase, if one heating element 56 bums out or is turned off by athermostat 66, the other heating element 56 may be able to continueoperating to keep fluid from freezing within flow channel 60.

As further seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the hot, neutral and optionalground leads 34, 36 and 38 are disposed generally parallel with oneanother and parallel with axis 72. Leads 34, 36 and 38 are showncircumferentially spaced apart within the annular insulation layer 70.These leads can be equally spaced 120 degrees apart, or at any otherrelative spacing. It is of course possible to arrange leads 34, 36 and38 in a spiral pattern around axis 72.

While the lead wires 34, 36 and 38 are shown insert molded or extrudedwithin the walls of insulation layer 70, it is also possible to simplylay the leads 34, 36 and 38 over the exterior or radially outer surfaceof hose wall 40, and then mold or otherwise apply insulation layer 70over the lead wires 34, 36 and 38 so as to secure the lead wires alongthe interface between layer 70 and wall 40.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, socket 14 and plug 16 are provided withaxially-spaced radially-extending serrations or teeth 74 along the outersurface of a tubular anchor or plug portion 76. Plug portions 76 notonly anchor the socket 14 and plug 16 to the inner ends of hose wall 40,they also provide an internal support for reacting compressive clampingforces from annular band clamps 80.

Band clamps 80 serve as strain reliefs as they clamp power cord 32 andleads 34, 36 and 38 firmly against the outer surface of insulation layer70. Lead wires 34, 36 and 38 exit the end of each hose segment 10adjacent an annular undercut 82 formed in the rear wall of eachrespective socket 14 and plug 16. A plastic or rubber annular washer 84(FIG. 4) is shown provided against the wall 86 of socket 14.

A sealant 88 such as silicone rubber can be applied within and aroundthe annular undercuts 82 to seal the connection between the plugs 76 andhose wall 40 and also cover and waterproof the lead wires 34, 36 and 38at their exit points from insulation layer 70.

As seen in FIG. 5, female power connector 44 is shown mounted directlyto the outer surface of insulation layer 70 by adhesives, for example.Tape or other attachment devices can also be used for this purpose.Power connector 44 is molded as a block of insulting material such as aplastic material. A ground fault interrupter (GFI) 90 of conventionaldesign is insert molded into plug 44 and connected to lead wires 34, 36and 38. Upon detecting an imbalance in current flow between leads 34 and36, the GFI opens the circuit in hot lead 34 in a known fashion, therebypreventing any power from being delivered by power cord 32.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is shown in FIGS. 7-15 wherein asafe, economical and sturdy electrical power and grounding circuit isformed in an easy-to-assemble heated hose construction. As seen in FIGS.7, 8 and 9, a flexible hose body 100 is formed of a rubber or plasticmaterial such as food grade PVC. The hose body 100 can be of anysuitable length, such as forty to fifty feet long and can have anysuitable internal flow path diameter, such as ⅝ inch.

In this embodiment, three heating elements in the form of PVC insulatedcopper-alloy wires 102 are linearly embedded within the inner wall 104of the hose body 100 during an extrusion process. Other known methodscan be used to embed or otherwise attach the wires to hose body 100. Atough, flexible outer plastic sheath 106 may be provided on the hosebody 100 to protect and thermally insulate the hose body 100. Whenreferring herein to the hose body 100, it is to be understood that thehose body can be formed as a single layer extrusion or as a doublelayer, such that the outer wall 107 of the hose body can be the outerwall of a single layer or multiple layer hose.

The copper alloy or other alloy heating wires 102 can be arranged as apair of diametrically-opposed current-carrying heating wires such as“hot” wire 108 and “neutral wire” 110. A ground wire 112 can be locatedcircumferentially midway between the heating wires 108, 110. Each wirecan be parallel with each other and with the longitudinal axis of thehose body.

Once the hose body 100 is extruded or otherwise produced as shown inFIG. 8, the first and second opposite end portions 116, 118 of the hosebody 100 are removed or “stripped” so as to expose several inches ofeach wire 108, 110, 112. In addition, a length of the insulation 120 oneach wire 108, 110, 112 is removed to facilitate electricinterconnections, as discussed below. In this embodiment, the strippedwires can have a diameter of about 1.9 millimeter and a resistance ofabout ten ohms per meter.

After the wires 108, 110, 112 have been stripped, a substantially rigidring or ferrule 126 is placed over each end 116, 118 of the hose body100. The rings 126 can be formed of thin-walled brass or otherelectrically conductive material. A series of axially-spacedcircumferentially-extending ribs 128 can be formed on the outer surfaceof the rings 26 to form a secure seat for a later-applied cover orsheath, as noted below.

Each ring 126 is formed with several axial notches 132circumferentially-spaced around the outer edge 130 of each ring, as seenin FIG. 10. Two spaced-apart opposed notches 132 are circumferentiallyaligned over the hot wire 108 and neutral wire 110, and a third notch132 can be located about midway between the substantiallydiametrically-opposed notches and aligned over the ground wire 112. Ashort radially-inwardly extending lip can be formed on each ring 126 toserve as an axial locator or stop cap to seat and secure each ring oneach respective end portion of the hose body 100.

It should be noted that each notch 132 exposes an underlying portion 136of the relatively soft material of the hose body 100. These exposedportions 136 serve as soft pockets or seats within which the wires 108,110, 112 are folded as shown in FIG. 11. Aligning the wires within andover the notches 132 prevents the wires and their insulation fromcontacting the outer edges 130 of the rings 126 and thereby protects thewires from abrasions, wear and cutting against the outer edges 130.

As further seen in FIG. 11, a thermostat 140 has two electrical leads142 connected to the stripped ends of the powered hot and neutral wires108, 110, by soldering, crimping, butt splicing or any otherconventional method. A power cord 144 has its hot wire 146, neutral wire150 and ground wire 152 respectively connected to the hot wire 108,neutral wire 110 and ground wire 112 at the other end of the hose body100 by soldering, crimping, butt splicing or any other conventionalmethod. Power cord 144 further includes a conventional three-prong wallplug 156.

While the hot and neutral wires 108, 110 are folded or bent outwardlyover the outer wall surface 107 of the hose body 100 for connection tothe thermostat 140 and power cord 144, the ground wire 112 at the firstend of the hose body 100 adjacent the thermostat 140 is folded or bentinwardly and axially into the flow channel or internal flow path of thehose body 100 and against its inner wall 104. The second end of theground wire 112 is connected to the ground wire 152 on the power cord144 and then bent or folded radially inwardly and axially into the flowpath of the hose body 100, at its opposite or second end, with the powercord ground wire 152 aligned within a notch 132 in ring 126. The hot andneutral wires 108, 110 can also be disposed within respective notches132. This alignment within the notches 132 provides a safe, protective,soft resilient seat 136 to secure the wires in place against the hosebody 100.

As seen in FIG. 12, once the electrical connections between the wires108, 110 and 112 have been completed as described above, a protectivesleeve or sheath 160 is positioned over each end portion of the hosebody 100. In this embodiment, the sleeves 160 are polyolefinheat-shrinkable tubes having sufficient length to cover and encapsulatethe exposed ends of the wires 108, 110, 112, the thermostat 140 and theconnections between the power cord 144 and the wires 108, 110, 112. Heatis then applied to the sleeves 160 to shrink the sleeves tightly overthe wires, thermostat and power cord to form a secure, protectivewatertight seal over the hose body 100, as seen in FIG. 13. The sleeves160 securely clamp the wires 108, 110, 112 as well as the power cordwires 146, 150 and 152 against the rings 126.

At this point, male and female fluid couplings are assembled to each endportion of the hose body 100 as shown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, anexternally-threaded male fluid coupling 162 is coupled to the first endof the hose body 100 and an internally-threaded female coupling 164 iscoupled to the second end of hose body 100. Each fluid coupling 162, 164includes an integral tubular axially-extending stem portion 168 which isdimensioned to fit snugly into the internal flow path of the hose bodywithout excessive interference or force applied to the ends of theground wires 112 which have been folded into opposite ends of theinternal flow path.

Once the stem portions 168 are fully inserted into the hose body 100 asshown FIG. 15, an expansion tool, such as an axially-tapered plug ormandrel is axially inserted into each coupling 162, 164 so as toradially-outwardly expand and plastically deform each stem portion 168against the inner wall 104 of the hose body 100. This expansion of thestems 168 forces the ends of the ground wire 112 against and into theinner wall 104. The rings or ferrules 126 provide a reaction forceagainst the radial expansion of the stems 168 of each fluid coupling162, 164. This expansion also serves to securely anchor the rings orferrules 126 onto the ends of the hose body 100.

In this manner, the mounting of the fluid couplings 162, 164 to the hosebody 100 also completes an electrical connection between the couplings162, 164 and the portion of the ground wire 112 that is folded into theflow channel or internal flow path of the hose body 100 and against itsinner wall 104 at each end of the hose body 100. The fluid couplings162, 164 and stems 168 are formed of brass in this example but can beformed of any other electrically conductive material. As described, areliable sturdy electrical grounding circuit is formed along the entirelength of the hose body 100 during the assembly of the fluid hosecouplings 162, 164 to the hose body 100. Each of the fluid couplings162, 164 forms a part of the grounding circuit and provides a securerobust interconnection with the ground wire 112.

Turning now to FIG. 16, a side perspective view of a heated hoseassembly 400 according to embodiments of the invention is shown. It isunderstood that heated hose assembly 400 includes several featuresdescribed above with respect to the heated hose assembly in FIGS. 7-15.That is, heated hose assembly 400 includes a flexible hose body 100 withan inner wall 107 (FIG. 8) and an outer wall (FIG. 8). A first heatingwire 108 and a second heating wire 110 each extend longitudinally andparallel to an axis of the flexible hose body 100. As described above,the heating wires 108, 110 are within the inner wall 107. A hose groundwire 112 also extends longitudinally and parallel to the axis of theflexibly hose body 100.

However, in contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-15, thermostat240 is positioned on an external surface of the flexible hose body 100.As seen, thermostat 240 is electrically connected to the first andsecond heating wires 108, 110 at one end 116 of flexible hose body 100.The end 116 is opposite the end 118 that the power cord 150 is attachedto the first and second heating wires 108, 110 and hose ground wire 112.

As seen in FIGS. 17 and 18, thermostat 240 may be located within ahousing 242. Housing 242 may include any material known in the art.Housing 242 may include at least one groove 250 for attaching housing242 to the external surface of the flexible hose body 100, as shown inFIG. 16. In FIG. 18, the bottom of housing 242 for thermostat 240 isshown. At each groove 250 of housing 242, a curvature 252 is providedfor positioning the housing 242 against the external surface of flexiblehose body 100. Further, a pad 254 is provided to be positioned againstthe surface of flexible hose body 100 to support housing 242 against theflexible hose body 100.

As seen in FIG. 16, straps 244 may be positioned within grooves 250 inorder to secure the thermostat 240 to the flexible hose body 100. Straps244 may include any material known in the art. Further, other connectingmeans may be provided, besides straps 244. For example, thermostat 240may be secured to the flexible hose body 100 by rope, rubber bands,and/or metal clips. Regardless, in this way, since thermostat 240 isexternal to flexible hose body 100, thermostat 240 may be replacedeasily without destroying or replacing any portions of flexible hosebody 100 or removing fluid couplings 162, 164.

Turning now to FIG. 19, a cross-sectional view of a hose 500 accordingto embodiments of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, hose 500includes the features of hose 100 shown in FIGS. 7-16. First and secondheating wires 108, 110 are positioned within an inner wall 104, andinner wall 104 is within an outer wall 107. However, as seen in thiscross-sectional view, the ends of first heating wire 108 and secondheating wire 110 are seen twice. That is, first heating wire 108 andsecond heating wire 110 extend longitudinally and parallel to the axisof the hose 500 multiple times. As shown in FIG. 19, first heating wire108 extends twice along the axis of hose 500. Further, second heatingwire 110 extends twice along the axis of hose 500. However, it isunderstood that first heating wire 108 and second heating wire 110 mayextend multiple times along the longitudinal axis of hose 500. In thisway, for a larger diameter hose, heating wires 108, 110 may effectivelyheat the fluid within the hose 500.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the inventionpresently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that variouschanges and modifications may be made thereto without departing from thespirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A heated hose assembly, comprising: aflexible hose body having an inner wall, an outer wall, a first endportion and a second end portion; a first and a second heating wireseach extending longitudinally and parallel to an axis of the hose bodyand within the inner wall; a hose ground wire extending longitudinallyand parallel to the axis of the hose body and within the inner wall, thehose ground wire having first and second end portions; a first fluidcoupling provided on the first end portion of the flexible hose body,the first fluid coupling comprising a stem inserted into the first endportion of the flexible hose body and radially clamping the first endportion of the hose ground wire against an inner surface of the innerwall of the flexible hose body, such that a contact between the firstfluid coupling and the first end portion of the hose ground wire groundsthe hose ground wire; a power cord electrically connected to the firstand second heating wires and to the hose ground wire at the first endportion of the flexible hose body; and a thermostat electricallyconnected to the first and second heating wires at the second endportion of the flexible hose body.
 2. The heated hose assembly of claim1, wherein the thermostat is positioned on an external surface of theflexible hose body.
 3. The heated hose assembly of claim 2, furthercomprising a housing for the thermostat, wherein the housing includes atleast one groove for attaching the housing to the external surface ofthe flexible hose body.
 4. The heated hose assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a second fluid coupling provided on the second end portion ofthe flexible hose body, the second fluid coupling comprising a steminserted into the second the second end portion of the flexible hosebody and radially clamping the second end portion of the hose groundwire against the inner surface of the flexible hose body.
 5. The heatedhose assembly of claim 1, wherein the power cord comprises a power cordhot wire, a power cord neutral wire and a power cord ground wire, andwherein the power cord ground wire is electrically connected to the hoseground wire and clamped against the inner wall of the flexible hose bodyby the first fluid coupling.
 6. The heated hose assembly of claim 1,further comprising a first ring fitted over the first end portion of theflexible hose body and over the outer wall, the first end portion of theflexible hose body radially clamped between the stem of the first fluidcoupling and the first ring.
 7. The heated hose assembly of claim 6,wherein the first ring is formed with a first axial notch and whereinthe first heating wire is aligned within the first axial notch.
 8. Theheated hose assembly of claim 6, wherein the first ring is formed with afirst axial notch and a second axial notch, and wherein the firstheating wire is aligned within the first axial notch, and the secondheating wire is aligned within the second axial notch.
 9. The heatedhose assembly of claim 8, wherein the first ring is formed with a thirdaxial notch, wherein the hose ground wire is aligned with the thirdaxial notch.
 10. The heated hose assembly of claim 6, further comprisinga second ring fitted over the second end portion of the flexible hosebody and over the outer wall, wherein the second ring is formed with afirst axial notch, a second axial notch, and a third axial notch. 11.The heated hose assembly of claim 10, wherein the first heating wire isaligned with the first axial notch, the second heating wire is alignedwith the second axial notch, and the hose ground wire is aligned withthe third axial notch of the second ring.
 12. The heated hose assemblyof claim 10, further comprising a second fluid coupling provided on thesecond end portion of the flexible hose body, the second fluid couplingcomprising a stem inserted into the second the second end portion of theflexible hose body and radially clamping the second end portion of thehose ground wire against the inner surface of the flexible hose body.13. The heated hose assembly of claim 12, wherein the second end portionof the flexible hose body is radially clamped between the stem of secondfirst fluid coupling and second first ring.
 14. The heated hose assemblyof claim 1, further comprising a sleeve comprising anelectrically-insulating material tightly fitted over the first andsecond heating wires.
 15. A heated hose assembly, comprising: a flexiblehose body having an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end portion and asecond end portion; a first and a second heating wires each extendinglongitudinally and parallel to an axis of the flexible hose body andwithin the inner wall, wherein the first and second heating wires extendlongitudinally along the axis of the flexible hose body at least once; ahose ground wire extending longitudinally and parallel to the axis ofthe hose body and within the inner wall, the hose ground wire havingfirst and second end portions; a first fluid coupling provided on thefirst end portion of the flexible hose body, the first fluid couplingcomprising a stem inserted into the first end portion of the flexiblehose body and radially clamping the first end portion of the hose groundwire against an inner surface of the inner wall of the flexible hosebody, such that a contact between the first fluid coupling and the firstend portion of the hose ground wire grounds the hose ground wire; apower cord electrically connected to the first and second heating wiresand to the hose ground wire at the first end portion of the flexiblehose body; and a thermostat electrically connected to the first andsecond heating wires at the second end portion of the flexible hosebody.
 16. The heated hose assembly of claim 15, wherein the first andsecond heating wires extend longitudinally along the axis of theflexible hose body multiple times.